Why are the Spurs on pace to win 72 games, yet the Jazz are floundering again?

[LogGrad98]

I agree though I think this year will be tough to beat out all those teams and a few in the Eastern Conference for the title. I would say the next two years though look more promising as Kobe, Artest, Duncan, Ginobili, Dirk and Co. become even older and we progress more. Hopefully.

That said, we can't bank on these teams fading away into oblivion. While they might some, we also need to improve. For me, Jefferson needs to improve the most. He needs to drastically improve his conditioning and fitness and come in like a beast next season, rebounding like he use to, elevating our frontcourt to another level, and giving us perhaps a more legit 2nd fiddle player. We also need the youngs like Miles, Hayward, and hopefully Fes if he's retained to improve. If this can all happen, and I actually think it can, I think we have a shot over the next five years to get a ring. Then, again, by that time, the Heat and Magic could become too formidable. Perhaps even OKC.

Well said. I think this is exactly the point many of us have been arguing (in bold above). We need to improve to compete. I do not think "internal" improvement is enough, but it is something. Here is to hoping that something will develop and we get there in the next few years.

 

[vslice02]

For me, Jefferson needs to improve the most. He needs to drastically improve his conditioning and fitness and come in like a beast next season, rebounding like he use to, elevating our frontcourt to another level, and giving us perhaps a more legit 2nd fiddle player.

I completely agree with this, and I think it's entirely possible for Jefferson to improve significantly.
Consider the 2004-05 and 2005-06 Carlos Boozer (when healthy). Like Al this season, Booze was a 17&9 player. He did shoot a much higher 53% from the floor - but like I've said before Boozer has always shot a high FG% wherever he's been, while Al hasn't. (In fairness, Boozer didn't have a DWill in his prime to play with those 2 seasons.) The significant improvement Boozer made to become a top-15 player in 2006-07 (even though he never quite reached that level again) came as a 26-yeard old, and I think Al could make a similar improvement as he improves his conditioning, low-post efficiency and ability to score on the move.

 

[//r00t 4 Jazz]

This thread was started shortly after not blowing out the Grizzlies and I'm betting the frustration of some of the board, I'd like to point out not only have they went on to be the fakers the next night but they just beat OKC.

 

[gregbroncs]

I agree, we did not have the most talented teams. But again that lies at least in part with Sloan. We have heard many times players who don't want to play for Sloan (that was what came out of the infamous "YOU go play in Utah" quote, if you remember). Also, we all know in this organization that Sloan has as much input as KOC in determining who to pick in the draft, who to go after in free agency, who to keep and who to let go.

I am not saying that Sloan is the entire reason for all our woes, but I think his time has run its course. I couldn't tell you who to bring in, but I think it is time for some new blood. How about Hornacek?

I have not always been in Sloans corner. But right now for this team? I absolutely think he's the best coach for this team right now. Outside of Pops that is. Pops is the best coach in the league IMO. He also has the advantage of having more talent than Sloan almost every year he has been coaching.

Also the "you go play in Utah" is more about it being Utah than Sloan. Face it we don't have the best weather, bars, or reputation for night life that a lot of NBA players are looking for.

 

[LogGrad98]

I have not always been in Sloans corner. But right now for this team? I absolutely think he's the best coach for this team right now. Outside of Pops that is. Pops is the best coach in the league IMO. He also has the advantage of having more talent than Sloan almost every year he has been coaching.

Also the "you go play in Utah" is more about it being Utah than Sloan. Face it we don't have the best weather, bars, or reputation for night life that a lot of NBA players are looking for.

I agree there are various factors that keep players from coming to Utah. I just remember the fall-out from that specific comment pointing more towards not wanting to play for Sloan, in that instance.

This is his team, mostly because he built it to fit his system. He is most definitely the best coach for this team right now. If we had a different coach who had some tenure we would have a different team. I would still be interested to see what a Hornacek team would look like. Heck let's just bring in Pop from SA. =)

 

[Chad Feldheimer]

Despite having the best record the Spurs are still not the favorite to win it all in Vegas. MIA, 2/1, LAL 3/1, BOS 4/1, SAS 9/1

 

[chawx]

Want to save some time going through 6 pages of crap to answer the simple question: "Why are the Spurs on pace to win 72 games, yet the Jazz are floundering again?"

Parker finally got some guts and kicked this piece of dead-weight trash to the curb......... +1 to Tony Parker for being the DUMBEST person in the Universe.